200 climb Snowdon for paralysis charity.

MORE than 200 people, including wheelchair-users, climbed Mount Snowdon yesterday to raise awareness of people who are paralysed, and the work of spinal cord injury charity Back Up.

Back Up's annual Snowdon Push saw each team consist of one wheelchairuser and up to 16 team-mates.

Team members have to raise at least PS200 with the aim of raising a total of PS40,000 for the charity.

The charity helps thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds rebuild their confidence and independence after a spinal cord injury. There are estimated to be 40,000 people affected by spinal cord injury in the UK today.

Participants walk, climb, push and pull to reach the summit and get back down.

"When you have been told you will never walk again, reaching the top of the highest mountain in England and Wales seems like a hopeless dream," Louise Wright, Back Up's CEO said. "Back Up's Snowdon Push shows everyone that life doesn't have to stop if you're paralysed."

The starting-point was at The Electric Mountain and teams started the challenge at 7am. It usually takes five to six hours to complete the round trip.

Joe Gadd, 23, injured his spinal cord in a horse-riding accident in 2011.

He said he was a "little bit nervous and scared" before going up the mountain but was also very excited to do it.

He said: "I've been involved with Back Up for a couple of years now and they helped me to get over my spinal cord injury. I'm so happy to raise money for them."

Joe has raised almost PS6,500 on his own. To support Joe, see www.justgiving.com/Joseph-Gadd/?utm_ source=Twitter&utm_ medium=fundraisingpage&utm_ content=Joseph-Gadd&utm_ campaign=pfp-tweet